Gazi Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi (Dec 2017)
The Assessment of Aluminum Magnesium Alloys' Weldability with Friction Stir Welding
Abstract
One of the best ways to decrease emissions of greenhouse gas and increase protection of energy from vehicles used for air, land and sea transport is to use lighter and more durable materials such as aluminum and magnesium. However, it is difficult to combine each of two metals with conventional fusion welding methods and specific process requirements have restricted the usage of Al and Mg alloys in common structures. In this review study, the experimental studies about the joining of Al / Mg alloys by using friction stir welding (FSW) method were evaluated and the effect of welding parameters used in friction stir welding process such as feed rate, spindle speed, rake angle, axial pressure force, tool design, tool offset distance and positions of materials on the weld quality, microstructure and mechanical properties were analyzed. The most important factor affecting on welding quality is Al3Mg2 (β) and Al12Mg17 (γ) intermetallic on the brittle structure which occurs on joining area in the FSW of Al/Mg material pair. The tensile strength of the joining zone can be more than 60% of the Al alloy compared to the base metal in the welding of Al / Mg alloys with FSW method of by using correct joining parameters.
